JOLIET, Ill. — Officials say thousands of people attended the grand reopening of the Empress Casino in Joliet, which has been closed since March after being damaged in a fire.
JOLIET, Ill. — Officials say thousands of people attended the grand reopening of the Empress Casino in Joliet, which has been closed since March after being damaged in a fire. Spokesman Brent Burkhardt says during the first half hour the casino opened on Thursday, nearly 1,700 people passed through the turnstiles. More than 3,000 people had entered the casino by 2 p.m. Renovations to the casino include a new 240-seat buffet, expanded high-limit gaming area and new VIP players lounge. Officials say welders working on kitchen duct work sparked the March 20 fire. The casino had been undergoing renovations. The casino was closed for 97 days, and officials estimated damage at $340 million. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.